The Olympic
torch has graced some memorable locations in its decorated history, including a
trip into space during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Relay. This year is no different,
with the Brazilian landscape offering up a host of diverse locations for the
torch to visit.

Among the
highlights will be a stop in Fenando de Nornonha – a breath-taking archipelago
of 21 islands to the north of the country, Iguazu Falls – a magnificent
waterfall that runs across the border of Argentina and Brazil, and the
country’s capital; Brasilia, where the nephew of the late Brazilian Formula One
champion Ayrton Senna will carry the flame through his home town.

Coca-Cola is
the longest continuous supporter of the Olympic movement, with a heritage
dating back to 1928. The company has been involved with the Olympic Torch Relay
since 1992 and over the last two decades, Coca-Cola has taken the Olympic flame
to over 42 countries, inspiring people from all walks of life along its way.

As a proud
partner of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Coca-Cola will accompany the Olympic
flame on its 95-day journey through Brazil.

The flame will
be carried by 12,000 people, visiting 320 cities, covering 20,000km on land,
and over 16,000km by air. It will reach the most remote and diverse corners of
Brazil.

2400 torchbearers were chosen from over 20,000 applicants based upon the inspiring work they have done in their communities, for embracing positive lifestyles and for the spirit with which they bring people together.

Brand
ambassadors will travel with the Olympic torch on a specially designed caravan,
handing out limited-edition gold Coca-Cola mini packs to supporters of the
relay.

Along the
journey, there will be 83 city celebrations, among them, Belo Horizonte,
Salvador, Florianopolis, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Each stop will inspire
Brazilians to bring out the Olympian in themselves and celebrate the diverse
culture that makes the country so special.

Olympic Torch
Relay Director, Isabel Salvador said, “We will shortly be leaving for an
amazing adventure across the whole of Brazil, visiting the most beautiful
places and telling inspiring Brazilian stories along the way. From start to
finish, we’ll be engaging with millions of teenagers, encouraging them to take
a ride with the torch and Coca-Cola. #thatsgold #issoeouro”.

The Olympic
torch is steeped in history and continues to inspire those who carry it.

A panel of
NGOs, athletes and stars, each hand-picked by Coca-Cola, were tasked with
selecting 2,400 torchbearers from over 20,000 applicants.

Torchbearers
are chosen based upon the inspiring work they have done in their communities,
for embracing positive lifestyles and for the spirit with which they bring
people together.

The
inspirational young people selected for the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay
include:

After a car
accident on New Year's Eve in 2014, Paola had her left leg amputated and was
facing a future filled with challenges. After months of learning how to walk
again, she has since adapted to a prosthetic leg and refuses to waste any time.

Paola has
embraced her hardship by transforming it into a force for good. A keen dancer,
she refuses to hide her leg and is living proof that the greatest strength is
inside herself.

Verônica Hipolito, São José dos Campos:

Brazilian
Paralympic Revelation Verônica Hipólito discovered that she had a brain tumour
at just 12 years of age.

She recovered
following invasive surgery. But soon after, at just 15 years of age, Verônica
suffered a stroke that left her with a slight paralysis on the right side of
her body.

Before her
stroke, Verônica was always playing sports and making jokes, but she hasn’t let
her paralysis stop her. She simply found a new way to express herself, and,
with the help of her coach, began practicing Paralympic athletics.

At the age of
19, Verônica took home a Gold (200m) and a Silver (100m) in the Paralympic
World Championships in 2013.

These are just
a couple of the incredible torchbearer stories Coca-Cola has to share. The
company hopes to help make the Rio 2016 Olympic Games an incredible experience
for everyone, by inspiring people to find gold beyond the podium.